Calming Tree Counselling
10 Pioneer Drive, Unit 109 N2P 2A4 Kitchener, ON, Canada

One of the most important skills to have in our mental wellness toolbox is that of REST! When many people think about rest, we tend to contextualize it in terms of physical rest that can take the form of sleeping or resting our bodies. However, it is important to remember that rest encompasses so much more than this! There are many different types of rest that we can engage in to recharge and refuel ourselves. For example, taking breaks from technology, connecting with natu...re, or spending time in solitude. The next time you feel like you need a break, we encourage you to practice some different types of rest that you haven't tried before! We hope that this post provides you with some helpful starting points. #TogetherWeGrow #Rest #MentalHealth #Wellness #MentalWellness #Recharge #SelfCare #CalmingTreeCares

Get to know our counsellor Kafui Mensah! Kafui has a passion for helping clients from diverse backgrounds, while implementing a variety of therapeutic techqniues. She has extensive experience in both clinical and community-based social work and she is able to support clients through addictions, concurrent disorders, anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, and navigating one's cultural identity. Kafui currently has NO WAITLIST and she is available for appointments ...on Wednesday evenings and every other Saturday! To book an appointment with Kafui, please call our office at 519-208-2256, send an email to [email protected], or book online. **For this Saturday March 27th, Kafui has appointments available at 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, and 5:00pm.** #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #MentalHealth #Counselling #Counsellor #CalmingTreeCounselling

We are so excited to announce the newest addition to the Calming Tree team!! We would like to welcome our newest team member Casandra Di Benedetto! Casandra is joining us with a Master of Social Work degree from Dalhousie University. She also has a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Casandra has over 6 years of experience in working with children and families and she has also w...orked as an adult crisis clinician. Casandra will mainly be working with youth and children at Calming Tree and she is passionate about providing a warm, empathic, and safe space for her clients to explore their challenges and share their concerns. Casandra employs a client-centred and play-based approach to counselling with children, while using a variety of therapeutic interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, solution-focused therapy, strengths-based therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and trauma-focused CBT. Starting March 19th, Casandra will be available for appointments on weekdays and occasional Saturdays. To book an appointment with Casandra please call our office at 519-208-2256, send an email to [email protected], or book online! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #CalmingTreeCounselling #Growing

Your mid week reminder that life is not always about the destination, but rather the direction you choose to take it.

Today is International Women's Day Today we celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against gender bias, and take action for equality. The theme for women's day this year is #ChooseToChallenge. If there is anything we have learned, it's that a challenged world is a changed world! We encourage you to consider how you can challenge yourself and others around you by calling out gender bias and inequality. We also encourage you to celebrate and appreciate all the wome...n in your life today and everyday! For more information on International Women's Day and their initiatives, please visit the official website at http://bit.ly/IWD-2021 #IWD2021 #ChooseToChallenge

Calming Tree Counselling is hiring!!! We are currently looking to expand our fun and collaborative team! We are hiring for a Registered Social Worker (RSW), as well as a Children's Registered Social Worker (RSW). Some elements you can expect both positions to offer:... - Flexible scheduling with the option to work days, evenings, or weekends - Ability to work 6-15+ hours a week - Competitive compensation - Room to grow your client base and grow as a clinician - A supportive and inclusive workspace - Training allowances for ongoing education - Reliable and accessible administrative support To apply, please view the job postings on our website! www.calmingtreecounselling.ca We are looking forward to growing our team!

Today is International Sweatpants Day!! When you put on your best set of comfy clothes today, we want to talk about a few things that sweatpants can teach us: 1. It's okay to feel comfortable. ... 2. Free yourself of restrictions (or restrictive clothing). 3. You are allowed to rest and relax. 4. Being active and "sweating it out" is an important part of health. The team at Calming Tree encourages you to get extra comfy, cozy today and embrace that much deserved feeling of rest! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #InternationalSweatpantsDay #Comfy #Rest #SelfCare

Remember that you are MORE than other’s perceptions of you #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #CalmingTreeCounselling

Our Friday words of inspiration heading into the weekend!! Don't be afraid to put a little "umph" into it! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Motivation #Inspiration #YouGotThis

For many young people across the world, the recent events that unfolded at Capitol Hill may be difficult to discuss and scary to acknowledge. As an adult, it can also be challenging to figure out how to address such matters with children and young adults. If you are trying to figure out how to have constructive and helpful conversations with young individuals about what happened, we encourage you to check out the article and short podcast that we have posted below!

In light of yesterday's events at Capitol Hill we want to remind you that you are allowed to rest. Outrage, advocacy, and self-reflection often take a toll on our energy and ability to be present. If we are going to continue to show up and do the work, we must also remember to step back and take a moment to breathe. If you need to turn your phone off today, stay off social media, or disconnect.....it is okay. ... #TogetherWeGrow #TakeABreak #Breathe #MentalHealth #SelfCare

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. We must remember that the work to obtain justice & equality and eradicate racism is still ongoing. When you celebrate the life of MLK Jr., ensure that your actions also reflect that celebration. How might one do this? - Support and help enforce anti-racism policies... - Take the time to learn and unlearn about racism - Acknowledge and understand your privilege - Actively work to enact longstanding change - Be present, speak up, speak out, and listen - Support Black individuals, businesses, and communities #MLKDay #MartinLutherKingJr #MLKDay2021 #BlackLivesMatter

To our valued clients, This is a reminder that Calming Tree will be closing its office from December 25th to January 3rd for our holiday break. Throughout our closure we recommend booking an appointment online, as you can expect longer response times to email or phone messages. Our office will resume our regular hours of operation on Monday January 4th. If you would like to book an appointment for the New Year, you can do so online at our website www.calmingtreecounselling.c...a, or you may email us at [email protected]. We thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout this closure. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCounselling #CalmingTreeCares #HolidayAnnouncement #OfficeClosure

Please note that registration for this webinar is required. To register, please visit the following link https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regist/6238683264022059280 Calming Tree Counselling and Strive Physiotherapy & Performance are excited to announce a FREE webinar that will be taking place on Wednesday January 13th from 6:30-7:30pm. This moderated webinar will focus on providing individuals with take home strategies that can be used to improve your overall health ...and navigate health challenges throughout the winter. Some examples of these strategies include tips for managing anxiety, education about stress management, and creating winter wellness plans! Please note that all participants in the webinar will remain anonymous to encourage participation and promote an open dialogue about mental and physical wellness. The webinar will also be moderated with a question period at the end where we will do our best to address questions from participants. We hope to see you at the webinar! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #WinterWellness #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth

Calming Tree is hiring!!! We are currently looking to hire a Registered Social Worker (RSW), as well as a Children's Registered Social Worker (RSW). Both positions are being offered for a part-time independent contractor. To apply, please view the job postings on Indeed. We have provided the direct links for both postings down below. Please review the job description and requirements before applying. ... We are looking forward to growing our team! https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob https://ca.indeed.com/viewjob #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCounselling #CalmingTreeCares #WeAreHiring

When heading back into regular routines after the holidays, it is easy for us to forget to take care of ourselves in the busyness of it all. This is your friendly reminder to take a moment, whether it be big or small, and engage in some self-care! Remember that self-care does not always entail grand gestures, but can be as simple as going to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual, or practicing mindfulness meditation while in the shower! ... #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #SelfCare #TakeCare #January #Routines

Today is International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by an intimate partner. With the recent outbreak of COVID-19, data shows an increase in calls to domestic violence helplines in many countries. Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a widespread, persistent, and severe human rights violation. It happens all over the world, even in the communities we c...all home. There is still a great amount of work to be done to end the silence, stigma, and shame surrounding VAWG. We all have a responsibility to help spread awareness about these issues and advocate for those who are affected. How do we do this? 1. Stand with, support, and believe survivors. 2. Speak up, advocate, and don't be a bystander. 3. End victim blaming. 4. Understand what consent means and educate others about consent. 5. Learn the facts about VAWG and what you can do to help prevent it. 6. End toxic masculinity. 7. Learn about and understand the different forms of VAWG. Now and always, Calming Tree supports the elimination of violence against women and girls. We will continue to spread awareness and support those who have been affected. We hear you. We see you. We believe you. To learn more about VAWG and how you can make a difference, please visit https://www.un.org//obse/ending-violence-against-women-day @unwomen #GenerationEquality #OrangeTheWorld #IDEVAW #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #MentalHealth

To our valued clients: In light of recent announcements confirming a provincial wide lockdown, Calming Tree will be transitioning all counselling services to virtual formats. Due to our office closure for the holiday break, this change will take effect as of Monday January 4th, 2021. As a result of the lockdown, children's services will now be completely virtual. All adult counselling services will remain virtual.... We all have a part to play in keeping our staff, families, clients, and community safe. These are challenging times, but we are committed to continuing to support our clients in the best way that we can. If you have any questions or concerns about this update in our services, please feel free to reach out to us by sending an email to [email protected]. Take good care

Important words to remember as we navigate relationships with ourselves, friends, family members, and partners. As hard as it is to let go of certain relationships, when a person shows us who they are, we must believe them the first time. We cannot change other people. We can only accept them for who they are and it is up to us to decide whether that person fits within the life we choose to lead. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Relationships #MentalHealth

With working form home and spending so much extra time on our electronic devices, many of us may begin to feel the effects that this has on our mental health. What can we do try and combat this? One suggestion may be to spend more time outside in nature! Spending time in the outdoors surrounded by nature has been proven to have many benefits for our mental well-being. Not only can it decrease feelings of anxiety, anger, and depression, but it can also increase our creativit...y levels. Being outside also provides us with an excellent setting for practicing grounding techniques. The next time you are feeling down, we encourage you to step outside for just 5 minutes (or more if you want to!). Try taking three deep breaths, noticing the smell of the air, the feel of the breeze on your skin, or the sounds and sights around you! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Nature #MentalHealth #Outdoors #GroundingTechniques Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com//b/202011/how-nature-heals

Please note that registration for this webinar is required. To register, please send an email to [email protected] Calming Tree Counselling and Strive Physiotherapy & Performance are excited to announce a FREE webinar that will be taking place on Wednesday January 13th from 6:30-7:30pm. This moderated webinar will focus on providing individuals with take home strategies that can be used to improve your overall health and navigate health challenges throughout the win...ter. Some examples of these strategies include tips for managing anxiety, education about stress management, and creating winter wellness plans! Please note that all participants in the webinar will remain anonymous to encourage participation and promote an open dialogue about mental and physical wellness. The webinar will also be moderated with a question period at the end where we will do our best to address questions from participants. We hope to see you at the webinar! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #WinterWellness #MentalHealth #PhysicalHealth

With the recent transition to virtual counselling for our adult clients, we thought it would be helpful to provide some tips on spaces that could be used for virtual counselling sessions. We know that privacy is not always obtainable in a client's home, so we hope these recommendations provide some inspiration for finding spaces to do virtual counselling! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #CalmingTreeCounselling #VirtualCounselling #MentalHealth

Wondering if alcohol is becoming problematic in your life? Read below to learn more about Canada’s low risk alcohol drinking guidelines to help better understand how alcohol may be impacting you and how to make changes that support you!

To our valued clients: On Monday November 16th, Waterloo Region will be moving into the Orange Zone with regard to COVID-19 protocols. With this change in status and the growing number of cases in our community and province, Calming Tree has decided to move all adult counselling sessions to a virtual format (phone or video). We believe it is our responsibility to reduce the number of people in our offices and building in hopes of reducing community spread and keeping our comm...unity’s health and businesses thriving. As of Monday, all previously scheduled adult in-person counselling sessions will automatically be converted to a virtual format (phone or video). If you have an upcoming appointment scheduled with us, you can expect to receive an email with more information regarding these changes in our services. As for children and student sessions (age 16 and under), we will continue to offer in-person appointments as long as we remain in the Orange Zone. Should we progress to the Red Zone, children and student sessions will also be converted to a virtual format. We continue to offer phone and video appointments to all of our clients. To book a virtual appointment, you can visit our website to book online, or send an email to [email protected]. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We thank you for your continued patience, cooperation, and support. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #CalmingTreeCounselling #ServiceUpdate

A free online community event for those struggling with substance abuse and addictions

Check out the latest blog post on our website for tips on how to stay merry and bright this holiday season! This post was written by our MSW practicum student, Ivanna Van Holst! In the blog, Ivanna discusses how the holiday season may look different this year and the importance of staying mindful of the belief that "all is lost". In creative and innovative ways we can still celebrate and enjoy the holidays with our loved ones. In the blog post, you will also find some ideas to try out that may help to make your holidays a little more jolly! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #HolidaySeason #MerryAndBright #MentalHealth

Calming Tree is happy to announce that our counsellor Kaitlyn has welcomed her baby into the world. Mom and baby are both healthy and safe at home! #TogetherWeGrow

"Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are alone in this world" Today is World Kindness Day! We hope that you take some time today to practice one (or many) random acts of kindness. Send an uplifting text to a friend or family member, give a stranger a compliment, or treat someone to a cup of coffee. These small acts can go a long way and when we make kindness the norm, we make a better world. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #WorldKindnessDay #MakeKindnessTheNorm #BeKind

To our valued clients, We want to inform you that Calming Tree will be closing its office from December 25th to January 3rd for our holiday break. Throughout our closure we recommend booking an appointment online, as you can expect longer response times to email or phone messages. Our office will resume our regular hours of operation on Monday January 4th. If you would like to book an appointment for the New Year, you can do so online at our website buff.ly/32u85l8, or you m...ay email us at [email protected]. We thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout this closure. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCounselling #CalmingTreeCares #HolidayAnnouncement #OfficeClosure

During times of stress or anxiety, the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique can be very useful as it helps to ground you to the present when your mind is bouncing between many anxious thoughts. Before you use this technique, start paying attention to your breath. Once you can maintain slow and deep breathing, go through the 5 steps of this technique.... 5 things you see.... 4 things you can touch. 3 things you hear. 2 things you smell. 1 thing you taste. The next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, try using this technique and notice how you feel afterwards! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Anxiety #GroundingTechnique

Always remember that your life is your story to tell. Feel free to change the plot at any time #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #It'sYourStory

As most of us know, the holiday season is going to look a little different this year. This will come with its own challenges, but it does not mean that our holidays are ruined. Remember that it is okay to mourn the loss of holiday traditions, while celebrating the creation of new ones. It's okay if we don't feel like celebrating and it's okay if we can't buy gifts like we used to. Whatever your holiday celebrations look like this year, remember to find the joy in all of it, practice gratitude, and challenge yourself to positively reframe what the changed holiday season means for you. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #HolidayReminders #WeCanDoIt

Gone but not forgotten. Today we honour the sacrifices made, the lives lost, and we remember the brave individuals who served for our freedom. With grateful hearts, we thank you. ... #LestWeForget #RemembranceDay #WeRemember #Gratitude

We wanted to share this amazing performance with everyone to spread a little joy today! The following video is a powerful performance by Allison O’Connor and her students at Dreams Come True Music Studio. Her and her students sing This Is Me, the theme song from the movie The Greatest Showman. Dreams Come True is a music studio based out of London, Ontario and it offers inclusive music programs for people of all ages and abilities. ... We encourage you to take a moment to listen and share and the joy! #Inclusion #AbilitiesFirst #SingYourSong

Have you ever considered the mental health benefits of dancing? Research shows that moving our bodies actually does a lot to help boost our mood! Dancing improves our heart health, balance and coordination, and it has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms! These benefits can be seen across a variety of age groups and demographics. While dancing should never be substituted for seeking assistance from a mental health professional, it is an activity you can do within the com...fort of your home to help you stay mentally and physically healthy! To help get you dancing, we have created a dance party playlist for you to try out! We hope these songs help to get you moving and get those mood-boosting chemicals flowing. Happy dancing!!! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #DanceParty #MentalHealth #GetMoving #MoodBooster Source: https://www.mindwise.org//menta/dancing-and-mental-health/

Feeling anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed? Try the Square Breathing technique! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #SquareBreathing #Anxiety #MentalHealth #GroundingTechnique

Thank you for sharing this important message Strive Physiotherapy & Performance

Have you ever heard of radical acceptance? Essentially, the practice of radical acceptance allows us to bring awareness to our feelings and discover what meaning they may hold for us in a gentle and caring manner. The article below is a quick read and discusses practicing radical acceptance by using the acronym "RAIN": R = Recognize ... A = Accept I = Inquire and Investigate N = Not-Identify The next time you notice you are experiencing some difficult feelings, try experimenting with radical acceptance and see if you notice a shift in your mood.

Today marks the beginning of #TransgenderAwarenessWeek!! Calming Tree celebrates and supports the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming community always! Posted @withregram @humanrightscampaign Happy #TransWeek! This week and every week, we celebrate the resilience of the trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming community. . .... . #HumanRightsCampaign #Equality #Transgender #TransRights #NonBinary #TransgenderAwarenessWeek #TransAwarenessWeek #TransIsBeautiful #TransVisibility #LGBT #LGBTQ See more

Lately, a lot of us have been feeling unsettled. As soon as we think we’ve adjusted, another hurdle appears. This can be tiring and can cause us to lose our sense of resilience. How can we combat this? By grounding ourselves! Here are five ways in which we can do that. Ultimately, we want to engage in grounding activities to help keep us centered and clear our minds! Next time you’re feeling anxious, unsettled, or just looking to try something new, try incorporating these g...rounding techniques into your day. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #grounding #MentalHealth #StayGrounded

Calming Tree is so proud to be nominated and to win Gold for The Marriage, Family & Individual category of the Readers Choice 2020 Awards! We are grateful for all of our clients and the ability to support mental health and well-being in our community! Congratulations to all of the nominees; we all play an important role in Waterloo Region and the surrounding area ... #togetherwegrow #readerschoiceawards2020 #gratefulandhumbled

Heading into the weekend, we want to remind you that you don't need a list of reasons to justify why you deserve to take a break. You deserve a break because you want one. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #rest #recovery #YouDeserveABreak

Halloween is quickly approaching and although it may look a little different than previous years, some people may still choose to dress up and have some safe, physically distanced fun. If you are dressing up this year, we encourage you to consider what is and what is NOT an appropriate Halloween costume. To help you in your efforts to choose an appropriate costume, check out our graphic above! Things that are NOT meant to be Halloween costumes:... - Mental illness - Other people's cultures - Blackface - Anything that mocks someone's gender identity - Anything that fat shames or body shames - Anything that sexualizes or fetishizes - The COVID-19 pandemic - Stereotypes Stay safe, have fun, and be kind this Halloween.....whatever that may look like for you! #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Halloween #Costumes

Happy #InternationalPronounsDay!! Remember that everyone has preferred pronouns that they would like to be called by. These should always be respected and used whenever we interact with someone. Preferred pronouns can include they/them/themself, she/her/herself, he/him/himself, zir/ze/zirself, xyr/xe/xemself. When meeting someone new, it’s okay if you don’t know what a person’s pronouns are right away and it’s okay if you mess them up the first time. The best practice is usua...lly just to ask a person what their pronouns are! And when you introduce yourself to others, stating your pronouns can ensure that they use the correct ones in future interactions with you! A simple act such as using the right pronouns may make a huge difference in someone’s life. #InternationalPronounsDay #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #PronounsDay #pronoun

Our counsellor and co-owner Melissa Reid wrote a blog post that was featured today on the website of Bereaved Families of Ontario (Midwestern Region)! Melissa’s blog discusses five ways to support someone who is grieving pregnancy loss or the death of an infant. In addition to these five methods of support, she discusses two things to avoid saying to individuals and families who are grieving this loss. Visit the link below to read her blog! ... https://bfomidwest.org/5-ways-to-support-someone-grieving-/

Posted @withregram @bfomr Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day. Today is a day to bring to light and honour the grief of parents who have experienced pregnancy loss, stillbirth or infant loss. It is a day to share our stories and talk about our experiences. More than ever, it's a day to recognize we are not alone.... We invite you to participate in the International Wave of Light by lighting a candle at 7:00 p.m. to honour the babies who died and the parents who grieve them. We'll be lighting a virtual candle and encourage you to share how you are recognizing this important day. #PregnancyLoss #InfantLoss #WaveofLight #PregnancyAndInfantLossAwarenessDay #Grief

What a great reminder that no matter how many times we fall, we will always rise again. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #Rise #Resilience #Perseverance #Fall #Autumn

Such an important distinction.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1 in 7 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Let us honour those who have passed from this illness, support individuals and families who are currently dealing with it, and continue to increase awareness about preventive measures. ... For those who are survivors, we encourage you to take some time to love and care for yourselves. #TogetherWeGrow #CalmingTreeCares #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer

Today is World Mental Health Day According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 1 in 5 people will experience a mental health problem or illness each year. Approximately 8% of adults will experience major depression at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders can affect 5% of one household, causing mild to severe impairment. Mental health affects everyone. Whether we experience it personally, or through a friend or family member, we are all affected by it at some ...point in our life. The past few months have been incredibly difficult for everyone. This pandemic has created a major shift in people’s mental health and well-being. Now more than ever, we are seeing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Now is not the time to ignore mental health. Rather, it is a time to focus on it and what we can do to support ourselves and others. The absence of mental illness does not imply mental health and there are always things we can be doing to support positive mental health. For example: - Asking for help when we need it - Enjoying the outdoors - Routine exercise - Listening to soothing music - Finding connection with others - Self-care - Laughter and gratitude - Healthy eating - Goal setting Everyone is deserving of positive mental health. If you have ever experienced mental illness or poor mental health, know that you are not alone. We are in this together and it’s okay to not be okay. Let us be kind to one another, support each other, and learn from each other. Together we can work towards mental health for all. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #WorldMentalHealthDay #mentalhealth #mentalillness #hope #resilience

Tomorrow is World Mental Health Day! In preparation, we wanted to provide a little education on how poor mental health can affect us and how we can support positive mental health. Poor mental health can affect everyone differently. Some of the common effects can include fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, and brain fog. Our mental health is closely related to our physical health. When we experience poor mental health it can cause us to experience uncomfortable physical s...ymptoms, which further exacerbate the struggles with our mental health. To better support ourselves and work towards positive mental health, we can try to engage in adaptive behaviours. For example, spending time with family, goal setting, regular self-care, and routine exercise. If you’ve ever experienced poor mental health and any of the associated physical symptoms, know that you are not alone. We are all in this together and together we can work towards better mental health for all! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #mentalhealth #worldmentalhealthday

Always remember that you have the capacity to handle more than you think. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #strength #resilience #capacity #mentalhealth

A reminder to just keep growing Posted @withregram @poetryofmshurt Remember that dirt helps flowers grow . .... . Follow @poetryofmshurt for more #poetryofmshurt #thesunandherflowers #milkandhoney #rhsin #rupikaur #poemsofig #poetryworld #writersofinstagram #writersofig #poemsforthesoul #inspirationalquotes #womenempowerment #inspirationalpoetry #encouragementquotes #poetryandprose #poemsaboutlove #poemsbyme #poemsoftheday #lovepoems #selflovepoetry #selflovequotes #selflovejourney #poetrygramh

Throughout the pandemic many of us have probably experienced a period of boredom. The experience of boredom is often trivialized because it is so common, but being bored all the time can actually have some negative effects. It can lead to distress, negative emotions, and even negative coping mechanisms such as overeating, drinking, substance use, or compulsive social media use. While activities and socialization are limited with physical distancing in place, there are still t...hings we can do to escape boredom and its negative effects. Many of these include staying connected to others and feeling grounded in the present moment. Check out the third image of this post to see some techniques for curving boredom! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #boredom #mentalhealth #escapeboredom Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com//emoti/202010/i-m-so-bored

A great reminder that trauma has many faces and it doesn’t look like just one thing.

No body's path to healing is linear. We all have our ups & downs, twists & turns. No matter what our journey looks like, eventually we all reach our destination. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #mentalhealth #healingisnotlinear #keepgoing

September 30th is Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day takes place annually to encourage a global and ongoing conversation about all aspects of residential schools. It provides us with an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion about the history of residential schools and the experiences that Indigenous children and families have had because of them. EVERY CHILD affected by residential schools MATTERS, even if they are now an adult. We hope that the community will join... us in our efforts to acknowledge the trauma, pain, and loss that residential schools and colonization have brought upon Indigenous families, children, adults, and communities. There is still much work to be done to create reconciliation. We must listen with empathy, learn (and unlearn), educate others, engage in constructive and challenging dialogues, and turn our words into actions. Visit the link below to learn more about Orange Shirt Day and the history behind it. https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #OrangeShirtDay #EveryChildMatters #reconciliation

To our valued clients: As the number of confirmed cases in Ontario continues to rise, Calming Tree is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our staff, clients, and community. We are working diligently to follow government and public health guidelines, in addition to thoroughly cleaning our office to ensure a safe space for counselling services to continue. For a detailed list of our ongoing safety measures, please view the fifth image in this post. We recognize that... this is an extremely trying time for everyone and it has impacted each of our lives differently. Calming Tree thanks you for your continued patience, cooperation, and support as we navigate through this pandemic. #calmingtreecares #togetherwegrow

This is a reminder that Calming Tree will be increasing session rates as of Thursday October 1st, 2020. All new and existing clients will be subject to new rates, which are as follows: Children & Students $100... Standard Individual $120 Couples & Families $135 Please note that Calming Tree was planning to implement this rate change as of April 1st, 2020. This was our plan before the impacts of COVID-19 became more extreme. Since things have settled, we are moving ahead with the previously planned rate change. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this change in rates, please feel free to discuss them with your counsellor or our administrative staff. Thank you! #calmingtreecounselling #togetherwegrow See more

Heading into the weekend, we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to check-in with their mental health. How are you doing today? No matter what the answer is, remember that it's okay to name your feelings. Whether you're flourishing, in need of support, or somewhere in between......it's okay. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #checkin #mentalhealth

Too often, we consider asking for help to be a sign of weakness. But here’s the thing.....it’s actually considered to be a sign of strength. Because knowing when you need to ask for help and when you can’t do everything on your own is a true sign of courage. If you’ve ever asked someone, something, somewhere for help, your strength inspires us. ... #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #askforhelp #strength #mentalhealth #courage #itsoktonotbeok

Today is Celebrate Bisexuality Day! Since 1999, September 23rd has marked the celebration of Bi Visibility Day. On this day, we aim to raise bi-awareness and challenge bisexual & biromantic erasure. We hope that you take a moment today to recognize and celebrate bisexual people, the bisexual community, and the history of bisexuality. ... Calming Tree stands with the bisexual community as well as other members of the LGBTQ2+ community. We will continually support you and always advocate for inclusivity, acceptance, and equality. #celebratebisexuality #bivisibilityday #bisexual #lgbtq2+ #pride #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares

Calming Tree has added another new member to our team! We would like to give a warm welcome to the newest member of the CTC team, Melissa Galbraith. Melissa is joining us with a Master of Social Work degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies from the University of Waterloo. In addition, Melissa has an Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Work from Fanshawe College. She has worked in the mental health field for ov...er a decade in community agencies, specialized treatment facilities, and for school boards. With strong clinical skills, Melissa is focused on working with children (ages 5 and up), individuals, and families from a trauma informed and client-centered perspective. Melissa is honoured to join people for a short time throughout their life journey and healing process, while being humbled by the strength, perseverance, and commitment that clients can bring to their own lives. Starting Tuesday September 29th, Melissa will be available for appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, as well as occasional Saturdays. To book an appointment with Melissa please call our office at 519-208-2256, book online, or send an email to [email protected]. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #calmingtreecounselling #exciting #CTC #team #growing

Calming Tree is proud to have three children’s counsellors to help support the needs of our community! Jeff, Dannika and Melissa G. are all Registered Social Workers with a Master in Social Work degree. Counselling is available for children age 3 and up either in person or virtually. All three counsellors offer play based therapy for a variety of concerns including anxiety, mood, adhd, separation and divorce (both parents consent required), trauma and behaviour. Please emai...l us at [email protected] or call 519-208-2256 for more information or book online at calmingtree.ca! #supportingthewholefamily #childrenscounselling #onlinebookingavailable #togetherwegrow

For many relationships, COVID-19 has created unrelenting stress and contributed to strain in partnerships. According to couples therapist, Susan Adler,Instead of seeing that our own unhappiness puts stress on our relationship, we blame our relationship for our unhappiness. In this article Adler gives individuals strategies to take back to their relationships. In decreasing blame and resentment, we can increase compassion and connection.

Calming Tree is so excited to have our first Master of Social Work Candidate join us! We give a warm welcome to Ivanna! Calming Tree is committed to education; both on our clinical team, In addition to aspiring social work students interested in exploring Private Practice. You will see Ivanna at the reception desk until she is able to have a small caseload of her own. Please say hello to Ivanna and know that she is with us to learn and grow! #togetherwegrow #masterofsocialwork #wlualumni

1 in 3 women across the world experience some form of sexual violence or intimate partner violence. 1 in 6 men experience sexual violence. Less than 50% of victims report these crimes.... Take Back the Night (TBTN) aims to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse, and all forms of sexual violence. One of their main goals is to cultivate safe and respectful communities and relationships where individuals from all backgrounds do not need to fear sexual violence. Much progress has been made in reducing sexual violence across the world, but we still have more work to do. Calming Tree stands with all of those who have experienced or been affected by sexual violence and we are committed to contributing to efforts to end such violence. To learn more about TBTN Foundation, their events, and how you can show your support, please visit https://takebackthenight.org/ #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #TakeBackTheNight #TBTN #endsexualviolence

Today is Calming Tree's 3rd Birthday!! We are so excited to be celebrating this milestone with our team, community, and clients. We are looking forward to the many years to come and we cannot wait to see how our business continues to grow and evolve. To celebrate our birthday this year, we asked each of our team members what their favourite thing or memory about Calming Tree is. We are grateful to see the warm and positive responses that each of our team members gave. Our ...team members are part of what makes Calming Tree the wonderful place that it is. Thank you again to the community and our clients for their ongoing support. We appreciate it greatly and cannot wait to share more celebrations with you in the future! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #calmingtreeturnsthree #calmingtreecounselling #birthday #anniversary #celebration #mentalhealth #counselling

Today marks the beginning of our Birthday Week!!! On Wednesday September 16th we will be celebrating our third anniversary. We cannot believe that Calming Tree has already been open for 3 years! We are so grateful for our community and clients and the ongoing support we receive from them. When we first opened, we started with 3 counsellors and now we are up to 10 counsellors and 2 administrative staff. We are looking forward to the many years to come and we can't wait to ...see how much more we can grow! Stay tuned for more celebratory posts from us this week! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #birthdayweek #anniversary #CalmingTreeTurnsThree #calmingtreecounselling

Looking for virtual counselling? Craig Cunningham is a Calming Tree clinician who solely provides virtual support by video or phone. Virtual counselling makes connecting to support more accessible! For many people, virtual counselling can help ease the anxiety one may experience during an in office counselling session. It is a simple and comfortable process for clients to log in to a secured online platform that can be accessed from the comfort of your own home with flexible... scheduling. Avoid missing counselling due to issues beyond your control, such as a traffic jam or a car accident on the highway. Similarly, virtual counselling may better fit with your office hours so it may feel easier to schedule timely appointments. Also, unavailable child-care, long working hours and after-work errands may push your decision to seek mental health counselling further with each day. For people who experience any of the above, virtual counselling may be a better option. Virtual therapy is flexible it can be managed from your home or office. In addition, continued support from a Counsellor is one of the major advantages of online counselling. Regardless of where you move to in Ontario, you can continue to receive continued support! Reach out today! [email protected] 519-208-2256 #virtualcounselling #togetherwegrow #accessiblecounselling #onlinebookingavailable

Today marks the 19th anniversary of the tragedies that took place on September 11th, 2001. In solidarity, we honour those whose lives were lost, the survivors, the first responders, and those who will never forget this event. Even after 19 years have passed, grief, loss, and pain are natural and valid responses to an event that has deeply impacted so many. Let yourself feel those emotions, lean into those you love, and know that you are not alone. ... #NeverForget #911 #911memorial #NewYorkCity #gonebutnotforgotten #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. On this day and beyond, we encourage you to continue to talk about suicide, to educate yourself on mental health promotion and suicide prevention, and always care for those around you. We know that suicide prevention efforts needs to be early and ongoing and we aim to continue contributing to those efforts. The Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council (@wrspc) has organized a virtual event for the community to gather for remembrance... and healing, as well as education and awareness about suicide, suicide prevention and mental health. We encourage you to check this event out! Visit their page for more info about the event. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #worldsuicidepreventionday #suicideprevention #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #education

A simple act of kindness can make all the difference in someone's day. How can you be a rainbow in someone else's cloud?? Let us know in the comments below! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #kindness

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Throughout the month, we start to see more crisis helplines being circulated, while others begin to talk more openlyabout mental illness, suicide, and the early warning signs of suicide. While these actions can be helpful, they unfortunately are not characteristic of early or ongoing suicide prevention. There is more that society can be doing to contribute to suicide prevention and the promotion of mental health. So, what does suicid...e prevention look like from an early and ongoing stage? Swipe to find out! The actions listed on the second image of this post are items we can all continue to work towards. It is important to recognize that effective suicide prevention encompasses ALL of these actions. We hope that you will joinus in our efforts to accomplish these tasks and keep the discussion of suicide prevention going past the month of September. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #suicidepreventionmonth #suicideprevention #mentalhealth

In the midst of a pandemic, we are often hearing about how client’s sleep is disrupted. This TED video highlights six sleep hygiene guidelines that when implemented can improve your sleep. Implementing one of these tips is helpful but enacting all of them will give you the ultimate benefit and hopefully improve your sleep. Remember that a well rested brain is more capable of regulating emotions, processing information and supporting general well-being. Sleep is integral in go...od mental and physical health. #calmingtreecares #sleephygiene #togetherwegrow See more

In some way or another, we are all imperfect. But no matter what, we are always worthy. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #worthy #imperfect

As summer is coming to an end, many parents are struggling with the decision to send their children back to school. With this decision, both kids and parents may be experiencing some anxiety and fear. The important thing to remember is that there is no right or wrong decision. Some families may choose to do home learning and others may decide to do school learning. When trying to address any fears or questions your children may have, remember that they can handle anything yo...u can handle. Children learn a great deal from watching and listening to their parents and they will ultimately follow your lead. Regardless of what decisions you make for your own children and family, remember to respect the decisions of other families. Do not pass judgement on those who differ from you and be kind to one another. We are all in this together and just want to make sure that our kiddos are learning in a happy, healthy, and safe environment (whatever that may look like). #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #backtoschool #learning #anxiety #fear #family #parents #children Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com//covid-19s-back-school-fea

Today is International Dog Day! As most of us know, dogs can be wonderful companions. They comfort us when we are sad or in pain, and they celebrate with us when we are joyful or happy. Even if you don't have a dog of your own, it is amazing how much our spirits can be lifted after seeing a friend or family member's dog. Having a dog can also teach us about the importance of caring for and nurturing living things. When we properly care for a dog, we are rewarded with un...conditional love and friendship. We encourage you to show your puppers a little extra love today and take a moment to appreciate the laughter, joy, and happiness they bring into your life. Featured in this photo is our administrative assistant Hilary, with her 1 year old chocolate lab Bella! They are the best of friends! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #InternationalDogDay #puppylove #dog #companion #love #happiness

Calming Tree is so excited to be growing once again! We would like to give a warm welcome to the newest member of the CTC team, Nadine Rubie. Nadine is joining us with a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Toronto. She has over 15 years of experience and has a passion for working with members of diverse and marginalized communities. Nadine is able to support youth, individuals, and families that are struggling with mental health concerns, mood disorders, fa...mily conflict, psychotic disorders, as well as racial and cultural identity stresses. When working with Nadine, you will see her calm and authentic personality shine through, while she provides you with a safe and hopeful space for personal growth. Starting September 14th, Nadine will be available for appointments on Monday and Wednesday evenings, as well as occasional Saturdays. To book an appointment with Nadine please call our office at 519-208-2256, or send an email to [email protected]. #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #calmingtreecounselling #exciting #CTC #team #growing

In case anyone needs a reminder about how awesome they are! Keep going, you got this! #togetherwegrow #calmingtreecares #mondaymotivation #reminder #positivity #keepgoing #yougotthis